“The joy of the Lord is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10)
This is a powerful verse. Unfortunately, ‘joy’ is one of those words that is so overused that its meaning has been diminished. Words like fun, pleasure, happiness, joy, enjoyment, comfort, and love are all conflated to express the same emotion. For example, most of the following words are often used interchangeably:
I enjoy buying new shoes.
I especially love trail shoes.
It’s a pleasure to run in them.
These shoes come in fun colors and are so comfortable!
New shoes make me happy.
They bring me joy!
The dilution of significant words prevents us from understanding God’s word. When transcendent ecstasy is placed on the same lower shelf with generic fun, ignorance becomes the norm while understanding remains an anomaly. In order to reverse this trend, we must carefully study scripture under the tutelage of the Holy Spirit. Take time to consider and weigh each word. Use every tool and method available. If it helps, rewrite each verse until you understand it from every angle.
Looking at Nehemiah 8:10 from this fresh perspective helps us to understand it more fully:
Your bliss is rooted in the Lord; thus, it is the source of your inner strength.
Your deepest satisfaction comes from aligning with the Lord’s purpose.
Fulfilling God’s will leads to elation and energy.
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